Retirement Industry People Moves

Art by Subin Yang

LeafHouse Announces Marketing and Communications VP

LeafHouse Financial, a third-party discretionary investment manager focused on retirement plans, has announced Kassandra Hendrix as vice president of marketing and communications.

Todd Kading, president of LeafHouse Financial, announced that Hendrix, formerly vice president of business development, will oversee all messaging, branding and industry outreach. Hendrix will continue to report to Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chad Brown.

“Kassandra will now lead our marketing and communication efforts across all markets, coordinating with our compliance and social media team to ensure a consistent and solutions-focused brand strategy,” Kading says. “She is a stellar leader in our organization. Kassandra is unafraid and works hard to drive our brand that is recognized by recordkeepers, advisers, plan sponsors and investment companies.”

Aegon AM Selects Global Product Head

Aegon Asset Management has appointed Stephen Dougherty as global head of product.

Based in Chicago, Dougherty will manage a global team of 11 employees and report to Global Head of Client Group Chris Thompson.

Dougherty has over 25 years’ experience in investment management. He joins Aegon AM from Voya Investment Management. As managing director, head of structured assets and alternatives, Dougherty led the product development, launch and ongoing support of the firm’s alternative offerings starting in 2010. Previously, Dougherty was vice president, Fixed Income, Currency and Commodities Group at JP Morgan. He has also held senior roles at OnExchange, Societe Generale, Citibank and Bank of America.

As Aegon AM’s global head of product, Dougherty will provide leadership and management of the company’s global product strategy for its four investment platforms: fixed income, real assets, equities and multi-asset and solutions. His focus will be on the strategic management of the firm’s global product set both in developing new propositions and ongoing management of its existing product range.

Dougherty’s appointment is the latest in a raft of recent global appointments for the business including Anne Coupe as global head of consultant relations and global financial institutions in July and Russ Morrison, who joined as global chief investment officer (CIO) for the fixed income investment platform in June. 

“Stephen has a fantastic track record in developing new products and will have a vital role in driving new business,” Thompson says. “His expertise will also ensure that our existing product set remains competitive and exceeds the demands of our clients and prospects.”

Compass Advisors Joins Ascensus’ Elite Advisor Program

Compass Advisors has announced its addition to Ascensus’ Elite Advisor program for 2020.

The Elite Advisor Group provides resources and support personnel for both the advisory practice and its 401(k) plan clients. 

“We truly value our relationships with these key partners and remain committed to giving them the attention and dedication they deserve,” says Jason Crane, head of retirement sales at Ascensus. “As a result, we want to recognize Compass Advisors’ achievement as outstanding financial advisers with a higher level of service, attention and opportunity.”

“We chose to partner with Ascensus because their investment philosophy, transparency and care for clients aligns with our firm’s beliefs and practices,” says Michael Cuneo, managing partner of Compass Advisors. “Being designated as an Elite Advisory team is an appreciated acknowledgment of our firm’s dedication to the 401(k) and retirement plan business and fiduciary responsibility to clients. As part of this group, current and future clients will benefit from greater resources within Ascensus and a higher-level client service experience.”

Carillon Tower Advisers Appoints Responsible Investing Head

Carillon Tower Advisers has hired environmental, social and governance (ESG) professional Joy Facos as its head of responsible investing. 

Facos has more than a decade of experience advising asset managers on how to best integrate ESG factors into investment decisions and processes. In her new role, Facos will lead the firm’s continuing progress toward the six principles of the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), of which Carillon and its affiliates are signatories.  

In addition to supporting Carillon’s long-term course as a leader in sustainable and responsible investing, Facos will support Carillon’s affiliates—ClariVest Asset Management, Cougar Global Investments, Eagle Asset Management, Reams Asset Management, and Scout Investments—and coordinate ESG data and corporate engagement.

Facos holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Yale University. She reports to the chairman and president and began in this new role on August 17.